Friday, May 19, 2006

Tennessee's senators are casting identical votes for every amendment so far to the Senate's immigration bill. Descriptions of the amendments and corresponding vote tallies are below.

Some local advocates, concerned that any reform will be so narrowly tailored as to help relatively few of the millions of currently undocumented, are especially in favor of a particular pending amendment which calls for a so-called Orange Card, which would be issued to a broad number of immigrants for legitimacy prior to obtaining a green card.

The number for the U.S. Capitol switchboard in Washington is 202-224-3121.

Update Sunday May 21: The San Jose Mercury News reported in this story that the Senate debate on the immigration bill has been relatively civil and productive: "[I]n a town where we're used to the real decisions being made behind closed doors, senators got down to the nitty-gritty as they talked about and voted on about a dozen amendments. ... From how many new guest workers should be allowed into the country to whether undocumented immigrants here now should be legalized to whether English should be the national language, you got a feeling that some senators were actually making up their minds how to vote based on what their colleagues were saying on the floor."

Alexander

Frist

S.AMDT.3961 AMENDMENT PURPOSE:To prohibit the granting of legal status, or adjustment of current status, to any individual who enters or entered the United States in violation of Federal law unless the border security measures authorized under Title I and section 233 are fully completed and fully operational.ALEXANDER: YEA (also co-sponsor)FRIST: YEARESULT: 5/16/2006: Amendment SA 3961 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 40 - 55

S.AMDT.3994 AMENDMENT PURPOSE:To prohibit implementation of title IV (which includes the proposed guest worker program) and title VI (which includes the provisions relating to the 11 million undocumented workers) until the President determines that implementation of such titles will strengthen the national security of the United States.ALEXANDER: YEAFRIST: YEARESULT: 5/16/2006: Amendment SA 3994 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 79 - 16

S.AMDT.4064 AMENDMENT PURPOSE:To amend title 4 United States Code, to declare English as the national language of the United States and to promote the patriotic integration of prospective US citizens.ALEXANDER: YEA (also co-sponsor)FRIST: YEA (also co-sponsor)RESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4064 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 63 - 34

S.AMDT.4073 AMENDMENT PURPOSE:To declare that English is the common and unifying language of the United States, and to preserve and enhance the role of the English language. ALEXANDER: NAYFRIST: NAYRESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4073 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 58 - 39

S.AMDT.4072 AMENDMENT PURPOSE:To establish a grant program to provide financial assistance to States and local governments for the costs of providing health care and educational services to noncitizens, and to provide additional funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. ALEXANDER: NAYFRIST: NAYRESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4072 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 43 - 52. Record Vote Number: 133.

S.AMDT.4038 AMENDMENT PURPOSE:To require aliens seeking adjustment of status under section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act or Deferred Mandatory Departure status under section 245C of such Act to pay a supplemental application fee, which shall be used to provide financial assistance to States for health and educational services for noncitizens. ALEXANDER: YEAFRIST: YEARESULT: 5/18/2006: Amendment SA 4038 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 32